Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-02-22
A CANAL TO THE PACIFIC
THE SENATE DISCUSSES THE
NICARAGUA ROUTE.

Doubt Raised as to Whether the Ameri-
can Atlantic and Pacific Oompany's
Charter Hes Expired - The Senate
Votes in Favor of Chsrtering the New
Company.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 21.-The Senate
at O'clock to-day took up the bill to in
corporate the Maritime Canal Company,
OF Nicaragua.
The question as to other companies
having charters from the Republic of
Nicaragua was brought up by Mr.. Hoar,
and in connection with it Mr.. Vest me n
toned the American Atlantic and Pa
cific Ship Canal Company as having. a
charter from Nicaragua, and said that he
had been informed by the president OF
the company that the company had ex-
pended $10,000,000 in surveys and work.
and that the concession was still in full
force. He sent to the Clerks desk and
had read the opinion of an eminent legal
firm IN New York to the effect that the
right conferred upon the company under
the contract of 1849 survived unimpaired.
CLAIMS OF TERMINATION.
He knew that Admiral Ammen claimed
that that contract was terminated, and
that Mr.. Freiinghuysen, when Secretary
OF State, made the same claim. He knew
nothing about it. except that the Presi-
dent OF this company, Mr.. Blackburn,
had been introduced to him by a men,
Der of the House OF Representatives and
had been vCuched for as man of charac-
ter and credibility. He held that Con-
gress should not guarantee an act of in
corporation where these conflicting
claims were brought to its attention.
Mr.. Vest offered an amendment that
the act shall have no force or effect until
concession shall have been secured from
the government of Nicaragua and shall
have been submitted to and approved by
Congress. The bill was then passed by
SO yeas to nays. The nays were Messrs.
Berry, Coke, Jones of Arkansas, Maxey
aud Vest.
PROVISIONS OF THE BILL.
The bill incorporates Frederick Bill
lings, Charles z. Daily, H. L. Hotchkiss,
Francis A. Stout; W. B. Franklin, Daniel
Ammen, William L. Merry, Horace DAVIS,
Edward F. Beale, James H. McMullin,
Sheppard Momans and their associates as
the Maritime Canal Company of Nicara-
qua, with the principal office in New
York city. The capital stock is to be not
less than $50,000,00 nor more than $780,
100000. Ten per cent. is to be payable
when the SUBSCRIPTIONS TO the capital
stock are made, and future payments are
TO be made as the board OF directors may
determine. The aggregate of all the
charges, dues and towage is to be reason
able and not to exceed 81 80 per ton,
weight of the total of all cargo, fuel aud
supplies included, on board anv vessel in
transit, or not exceeding 81 25 per ton,
actual displacement of any steam ves-
sci, and 81 rs per ton actual displacement
of any Sailing vessel.
AMERICAN CONTROL.
The United States ls to exercise such
control over the canal as is provided for by
the treaty with Nicaragua and not incon-
sistent with any treaty obligations OF the
United States with any power, and Is to
enjoy it's unobstructed use at halt rates
for troops. munitions of war and mails.
If stock to the amount of 0,000, 900 be
not subscribed and 10 per cent. thereof
actually paid in within two years, or If
the work OF construction shall hot have
actually commenced and been In
! progress within four years, the corpora
tion shall be deemed to have expired
by limitation and all its franchises to
have ceased and determined. A resolu-
tiOn heretofore offered by MIR. Butler for
the appointment OF a select committee OF
five to visit places along the Mexican
frontier and the City OF Mexico, with the
approval of the Mexican government, to
inquire into disturbances that may have
occurred and their causes, with power to
send for persons and papers, employ a
stenograpner and sit during the recess,
was taken up and referred to the Com
mIttee on Foreign Relations.